Transcript: NewsCenter Podcast

April 17, 2024

Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn tips for trash and recycling, a series of free vegetable garden plant clinics, the latest tips from the Climate Matters blog, and discounted season passes to the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

The average household has two or three containers to set out weekly for the trash and recycling collection crews. Some of our waste and recyclables are collected by an automated truck and some are collected by people who tip your cart or throw your bags into the truck. As you prepare for the weekly collection, here are some points to consider.

• Try to put everything out the night before. The crews start very early in the morning!
• Leave it out. If trash/recycling/yard waste is not collected on your street, it will be collected as soon as possible. If just your waste was missed, it may have been left behind for a reason. There should be a note explaining what you need to do. Contact your service provider.
• Close the lid. This keeps wildlife from snacking on your trash. It prevents loose items from blowing out and littering your neighborhood. The lid will also keep rain out so your recyclables stay dry. If you’re using a container without a lid for yard waste, you can put some drainage holes in the bottom.
• Give it some space. Try not to set your carts too close to cars, mailboxes, or utility lines.
• Know the limits – bags or carts should weigh less than 50 pounds each.
• Flatten and/or cut cardboard so it fits loosely inside your cart.
• Don’t put recyclables in plastic bags. The bags get tangled in machinery and create safety concerns at the recycling processing center.

Take a minute to assess what you have set out for your trash and recycling curbside setup.  If you have questions about your service, contact your provider.  We all play a part in keeping our neighborhoods clean!

Be sure to subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Subscribe to “Weekender” at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.

As spring blooms, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Master Gardeners extend a warm invitation to all gardening enthusiasts for a series of free Vegetable Garden Plant Clinics. These educational programs, offered in collaboration with the Fairfax County Master Gardeners and the Virginia Cooperative Extension, aim to cultivate a deeper understanding of gardening practices and foster a sense of community among green thumbs of all levels. Join expert gardeners at a variety of locations as they provide valuable insights, answer questions, distribute soil sample kits, and offer complimentary analyses of plant and pest issues. These clinics are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on several Saturdays: May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, and Sept. 14. Clinics will be held concurrently on each of these dates at eight locations across Fairfax County. Check the Fairfax County Master Gardeners website for any cancellations due to inclement weather. For more information about these free gardening clinics, call 703-324-8556, or email HelpDesk@FairfaxGardening.org.

Earth Day is a global event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. You can join the effort to protect our planet – and support a healthier and more resilient Fairfax County. One easy step you can take is to adjust your thermostat during hot or cold months. Turn your thermostat up a few degrees during the summer months to reduce energy used by air conditioning. (78 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended). Meanwhile, turn your thermostat down a few degrees in the winter months to save on heating (68 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended). Find more tips and suggestions on the climate matters blog. Search "climate matters" at fairfaxcounty.gov.

The temperature is starting to rise as summer approaches, so don’t miss out on a prime opportunity to secure discounted season passes to the Park Authority’s Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole! Discount passes are on sale through May 27. The Water Mine offers fun for the whole family! Race down exciting water slides, relax in the 725-foot lazy river, play in the spray and showers of the water playground, compete with your friends along the log walk obstacle course, or spend time with toddlers enjoying gentle bubblers, fountains, and pint-sized slides in the Tenderfoot Pond. All ages can find something to enjoy in this Old West-themed water park. Season passes offer savings of more than 60% on daily admission prices — the more you visit, the more you save. Season passholders also experience faster entry and can purchase guest passes at a discounted rate. Take advantage of this gold rush season by purchasing your passes online, or by calling 703-246-5929.

Finally, get more Fairfax County news and event information at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Listen to other county podcasts at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And get 24/7 news and information from and about Fairfax County on Fairfax County Government Radio online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/radio.

That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news. You also may call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. News to Use is produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government.